Marimaca Copper Corp. (“Marimaca Copper” or the
“Company”) (TSX: MARI) is pleased to
announce that reverse circulation (“RC”) drilling completed at the
Mercedes Target (“Mercedes”), has extended the envelope of surface
oxide copper mineralization to an area of interest measuring 700m
along strike and 400m width. A total of 8 holes were completed of
which 6 intersected mineralization. Mercedes is located less than
500m to the north of the northern edge of the Marimaca Oxide
Deposit (“MOD”) and continues to provide clear potential to add to
the Company’s leachable resource base.
Highlights
- MER-25
intersected 68m with an average grade of 0.64% CuT from 8m
including 42m @ 0.90% CuT from 28m
- Complements
and extends broad zones of surface oxide copper mineralization
intersected in six historical (refer to announcement 15 September
2021) holes:
- MER-12
intersected 86m with an average grade of 0.44% CuT from 6m
including 42m @ 0.64% CuT
- MER-16
intersected 48m with an average grade of 0.42% CuT from 20m
including 20m @ 0.57% CuT
- MER-06
intersected:
- 74m with an
average grade of 0.30% CuT from 18m including 46m @ 0.38% CuT;
and
- 18m with an
average grade of 0.52% CuT from 132m.
- MER-14
intersected 26m with an average grade of 0.42% CuT from 80m
including 12m @ 0.69% CuT
- MER-03
intersected 58m with an average grade of 0.34% CuT as part of a
broader 94m @ 0.30% CuT from 4m
- MER-04
intersected 36m with an average grade of 0.34% CuT as part of a
broader 86m @ 0.26% CuT from 6m
- Lower grade
halo to the east and south east materially extends the area of
interest to 700m along strike and 400m across strike to a depth of
100m
- MER-20
intersected 86m with an average grade of 0.21% CuT from 18m
including 20m @ 0.50% CuT
- MER-18
intersected 46m with an average grade of 0.20% CuT from 4m
including 10m @ 0.36% CuT
Sergio Rivera, VP Exploration of
Marimaca Copper, commented:“Mercedes appears to be a
mineralizing system of some scale and we are especially pleased
with the continuity of grades in the north-western and western
peripheries of the area of interest. The lower grade halo is
reminiscent of the boundaries of the MOD, and we continue to see
potential to add complementary, shallow, oxide resources to our
mineral inventory.”
Hayden Locke, President and CEO, of
Marimaca Copper, commented:“The benefit of the MOD is that
the hurdle to bringing proximal, shallow, leachable resources into
an eventual mine plan is significantly lower. The drilling in
north-western portion of the Mercedes Discovery has an intersection
width weighted average grade of nearly 0.40% CuT, which is
approaching the average LOM grade of the MOD. Based on this
rudimentary assessment, we see strong potential for Mercedes to
extend the mine life of the MOD with further work. The average of
all drilling over the entire 700m by 400m area of interest is
nearly 0.35% CuT, which is well above the economic cut-off we
expect from the MOD based on historical work completed.
“Our focus has now shifted to the Sierra de
Medina Project where we are drilling a greenfields target before
moving to drilling along strike from our recently acquired Pampa
Medina Deposit for which we are currently completing a 43-101
compliant Mineral Resource Estimate before moving to a Preliminary
Economic Assessment.”
Overview of Drilling Campaign Objectives
and Results
The initial drilling campaign at Mercedes
(located less than 1km to the north of the northern edge of the
MOD), which was completed in 2021, consisted of seventeen shallow,
RC drill holes targeting the anomalies identified in both the
magnetic survey and surface geochemical sampling previously
completed (refer to announcement 15 September 2021). The Company
has completed an additional eight RC holes for 2,200m with the
objective of extending the mineralized envelope of the discovery
(Figure 1 and Table 1).
Figure 1: Plan view of Selected Drill
Holes at Mercedes
The eight drill holes were completed on various
orientations with a downhole depth of 250m or 300m. Six of eight
holes intersected broad zones of copper oxide mineralization of
varying grades from at or near surface, all with strong continuity
across the reported intersections. Mineralization consisted of a
mix of green oxides being Atacamite, Brochantite and Chrysocholla
and zones of WAD Oxide materials.
Mercedes is structurally controlled by a
pervasive sheeted fracturing of the intrusive host, which dips to
the east at between 45 and 60 degrees. Similar to the MOD, there is
zonation of mineralization trending from more dominant green oxides
at the top of the intersections to more mixed and copper wad types
at the peripheries and towards the bottom of the intersections.
The grades were mixed, but the majority were
above ore grade as defined by previous technical studies completed
by Marimaca. There is a clear higher grade zone which is at surface
in the north-west of the defined area of interest around newly
completed drill hole MER-25 and the historical drill holes MER-12
and MER-14.
Hole |
TD |
|
From |
To |
m |
%CuT |
MER-18 |
250 |
|
4 |
50 |
46 |
0.20 |
including |
4 |
14 |
10 |
0.36 |
and |
20 |
44 |
24 |
0.20 |
|
192 |
240 |
48 |
0.15 |
MER-19 |
290 |
|
52 |
60 |
8 |
0.33 |
|
186 |
220 |
34 |
0.20 |
MER-20 |
260 |
|
18 |
104 |
86 |
0.21 |
including |
22 |
62 |
40 |
0.31 |
including |
22 |
42 |
20 |
0.50 |
MER-21 |
300 |
|
72 |
94 |
22 |
0.21 |
including |
82 |
92 |
10 |
0.29 |
|
268 |
284 |
16 |
0.21 |
MER-22 |
300 |
No significant intercepts |
MER-23 |
300 |
|
40 |
66 |
26 |
0.23 |
MER-24 |
250 |
No significant intercepts |
MER-25 |
250 |
|
8 |
76 |
68 |
0.64 |
|
28 |
70 |
42 |
0.89 |
|
164 |
214 |
50 |
0.33 |
|
202 |
214 |
12 |
0.74 |
Table 1: Table of
Intersections
Overview of Mercedes
Mercedes is located less than 1km from the
northern edge of the MOD. It was identified initially through the
results of the high-resolution drone-mounted magnetic survey
(refer to release on 23 September 2020), which was
followed up by reconnaissance mapping and geochemical sampling
(refer to release on 9 December 2020). In 2021,
the Company drilled an initial program at Mercedes which
encountered shallow oxide mineralization and defined an area of
interest extending 700m by 400m (Figure 2).
Mercedes is hosted in the same intrusive units
as the MOD, which shows pervasive fracturing striking north to
south with an easterly dip of between 45 and 60 degrees. The unit
is cross-cut by various dykes and faults, all of which are
important for the development of copper mineralization.
Mercedes is the second of three new exploration
targets drilled by the Company within a radius of 5km around the
MOD, each of which presents a compelling opportunity to add
shallow, oxide resources to the MOD project.
Figure 2: Map of MOD Resource and Near
MOD Exploration Target Ranges
The potential quantity and grade
presented in the exploration target ranges are conceptual and have
insufficient exploration and drill density to define a Mineral
Resource. At this stage, it is uncertain if further exploration
will result in the targets being delineated as a Mineral Resource.
Estimates of exploration targets are not Mineral Resources and are
too speculative to meet the NI 43-101 reporting standards.
Dimensions are conservative estimates based on surface geological
mapping and sampling, underground geological sampling and RC drill
intercepts. Grade ranges used in the Exploration Target Ranges are
derived from RC drill interception grades within the target
dimension area and assumes projections of grades across a
mineralized zone.
Table 2. Summary of Mercedes Drilling
Collars and Azimuths
Hole |
Easting |
Northing |
Elevation |
Azimuth |
Inclination |
Depth |
MER-18 |
374890.4 |
7437565.4 |
998.5 |
270 |
-60 |
250 |
MER-19 |
374920.4 |
7437478.6 |
1006.3 |
270 |
-60 |
290 |
MER-20 |
375052.2 |
7437119.5 |
1106.5 |
290 |
-60 |
260 |
MER-21 |
375120.7 |
7437231.8 |
1109.8 |
290 |
-60 |
300 |
MER-22 |
375155.6 |
7437490.8 |
1099.5 |
270 |
-60 |
300 |
MER-23 |
375056.0 |
7437115.0 |
1106.3 |
270 |
-60 |
300 |
MER-24 |
374925.6 |
7437758.9 |
1010.2 |
270 |
-60 |
250 |
MER-25 |
374652.0 |
7437737.3 |
895.4 |
270 |
-60 |
250 |
Sampling and Assay Protocol
True widths cannot be determined with the
information available at this time. RC holes were sampled on a 2m
continuous basis, with dry samples riffle split on site and one
quarter sent to the Andes Analytical Assay preparation laboratory
in Copiapo and the pulps then sent to the same company laboratory
in Santiago for assaying. A second quarter was stored on site for
reference. Samples were prepared using the following standard
protocol: drying; crushing to better than 85% passing -10#;
homogenizing; splitting; pulverizing a 500-700g subsample to 95%
passing -150#; and a 125g split of this sent for assaying. All
samples were assayed for %CuT (total copper) and %CuS (acid soluble
copper) by AAS. A full QA/QC program, involving insertion of
appropriate blanks, standards and duplicates was employed with
acceptable results. Pulps and sample rejects are stored by Marimaca
Copper for future reference.
Qualified Person
The technical information in this news release,
including the information that relates to geology, drilling and
mineralization was prepared under the supervision of, or has been
reviewed by Sergio Rivera, Vice President of Exploration, Marimaca
Copper Corp, a geologist with more than 40 years of experience and
a member of the Colegio de Geólogos de Chile and of the Institute
of Mining Engineers of Chile, and who is the Qualified Person for
the purposes of NI 43-101 responsible for the design and execution
of the drilling program.
The QP confirms he has visited the project area,
has reviewed relevant project information, is responsible for the
information contained in this news release, and consents to its
publication.
Contact InformationFor further
information please visit www.marimaca.com or contact:
Tavistock +44 (0) 207 920
3150Emily Moss / Adam Baynesmarimaca@tavistock.co.uk
Cautionary Notice on Exploration
Information
This press release contains information regarding
potential exploration results of exploration targets on which the
Company intends to conduct further exploration in the near term.
The potential quantity and grade of such exploration targets
described in this press release are conceptual in nature and
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, such that they are
not an indication of any current or future economic viability, nor
do they satisfy applicable disclosure and information requirements
applicable to Mineral Resources. Readers are therefore cautioned on
placing any reliance on such information and related expectations.
In particular, the potential quantity and grade presented in the
exploration target ranges contained in this press release are
conceptual in nature and have insufficient exploration and drill
density to define a Mineral Resource. At this stage it is uncertain
if further exploration will result in the targets being delineated
as a Mineral Resource. Estimates of exploration targets are not
Mineral Resources and are too speculative to meet the requirements
for reporting Mineral Resources under NI 43-101 reporting
standards. Readers should also refer to the information provided
under Forward-Looking Statements below in the context of their
review of information presented in this release.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release includes certain
“forward-looking statements” under applicable Canadian securities
legislation. There can be no assurance that such statements will
prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and
projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon
a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered
reasonable by Marimaca Copper, are inherently subject to
significant business, economic, competitive, political and social
uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and
unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to
be materially different from the results, performance or
achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions
and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such
factors include, without limitation: risks related to share price
and market conditions, the inherent risks involved in the mining,
exploration and development of mineral properties, the
uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other
geological data, fluctuating metal prices, the possibility of
project delays or cost overruns or unanticipated excessive
operating costs and expenses, uncertainties related to the
necessity of financing, uncertainties relating to regulatory
procedure and timing for permitting submissions and reviews, the
availability of and costs of financing needed in the future as well
as those factors disclosed in the annual information form of the
Company dated March 26, 2024 and other filings made by the Company
with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities (which may be
viewed at www.sedar.com). Statements regarding the Company’s
planned DFS on the Project are forward-looking information and may
not be realized. Readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. Marimaca Copper undertakes no
obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any
forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of
new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be
required by law.
Neither the TSX nor the Canadian Investment
Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/04e35041-3c74-4a94-802b-0233eafb7872
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b485ecea-9451-45d0-84ae-ab2cac8287c4
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